Landing grounds on Arabian coast

This file contains concerns the development of the eastbound air routes which pass along the Gulf and the South Arabian coast towards India and Aden, particularly the search for and development of suitable landing grounds. It contains the correspondence of Air Staff Headquarters, RAF Iraq Command at Hinaidi concerning:

• RAF reconnaissance of possible locations for emergency landing grounds in the Gulf
• Political implications of landing in certain locations
• Report on existing and potential landing grounds in Al Batina province [Batinah] of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, with a sketch map
• Debates around the civil aviation agreements to be concluded between HMG and the Gulf Rulers; with draft air agreements setting out HMG’s rights to establish and run aerodromes and the conditions under which aircraft may fly over and land in a territory
• Need for military aircraft to have priority use of civil aerodromes
• Arrangements for periodical inspections of landing grounds in the Gulf
• Reports on the surface quality of landing grounds along the coast of the Sultanate
• Need for suitable landing grounds on the coast south of Muscat; arrangements for the maintenance of Khor Gharim [Khawr Gharim] landing ground, which had been wrecked by a tribesman; and the development of a new landing ground at Al Shuwamiyah
• Difficulties of developing the landing ground at Sauqrah Bay [Sawqirah]; and the need for British visitors to be accompanied Sheikh Saeed Bin Sultan of Mahut [Mahout] in order to restrain local hostility
• Details of the costs incurred in developing landing grounds in this area, including presents for the local inhabitants and Sheikhs
• Agreements signed with Sheikh Saeed of Mahut, who agrees to care for the landing grounds at Khawr Gharim and Al Shuwamiyah in return for a cash payment and annual subsidy
• Report on the reconnoitring and construction of the Khawr Gharim and Al Shuwamiyah landing grounds, including notes on the political situation and attitude of the tribes in the area
• Reconnoitring of the Sharjah-Gwadur [Gwadar]-Karachi air route
• Photographs of potential landing grounds